The origins of close ties between the Uzbek and Japanese peoples, originating from the depths of centuries, even today continues to be a significant factor in the fruitful cooperation.

 The modern basis for the development of the bilateral relations between the states was founded on 28 December 1991, when Japan recognized the independence of Uzbekistan. The diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1992. Since then, the interaction between the two countries has reached a qualitatively new level, is an active political dialogue, as was evidenced by the number of summits.

 An official visit of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Japan in February 2011 gave a new impetus to the relationship between the two countries. During the visit several agreements with major companies specializing in high technology were reached aimed at attracting Japanese investments to such rapidly developing sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy as oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, energy, machinery and textiles.

 At the present stage, both countries provide each other mutual political support on a range of regional and international issues. In particular, Uzbekistan welcomed the entry of Japan as a permanent member to the United Nations Security Council. Japan, in turn, supported the initiative of President Islam Karimov on establishing in Central Asia a free Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

 An inter-parliamentary cooperation has been established and rapidly develops between Uzbekistan and Japan. A Democratic Party of Japan - Uzbekistan and The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan – Uzbekistan Friendship Leagues were established in the parliament of Japan, and in the Legislative Chamber – an Inter-Parliamentary Group the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Japan's parliament.

 Speaking of political connections, it is also impossible not to mention the active cooperation of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue, which includes such areas of cooperation as political dialogue, intra-regional cooperation, promotion trade and investment cooperation, intellectual dialogue, cultural ties, exchange of human resources.

 Today, Japan is one of the largest investors in Uzbekistan. The total volume of investments for implementation of priority projects totaled more than $2.3 billion, including through government concession loans - over $1.2 billion in yen, through grant aid - more than $280 million for technical assistance - more than $110 million, through commercial loans - over $720 million.

 The Uzbek-Japanese and Japanese-Uzbek Committees on Economic Cooperation make substantial contribution to the development of trade and economic ties.

 Opened in Tashkent in 1999-2001, Regional offices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Uzbek-Japanese Center facilitate implementation of free technical assistance projects, establishment of contacts between the business and public communities of both countries and development of relations in the cultural sphere.

 In collaboration with Japanese experts a number of major infrastructure projects are carried out including construction of new Toshguzar-Boysun-Qumqurghon railway lines. Under the Official Development Assistance, the Japanese side will allocate a long-term loan to Uzbekistan to implement a project of electrification of Qarshi-Termiz railway line.

 Cooperation in cultural sphere, particularly in education successfully develops. The evidence of strengthening of the Uzbek-Japanese cooperation in education and research activities is the Second Uzbek-Japanese academic forum and the Meeting of rectors of Uzbekistan and Japan under the Japanese Government's program Global-30 recently held in Japan, as well as growth in the number of Uzbek students at leading universities in Japan.

 According to experts, the steady level of the bilateral cooperation in all areas, warm and friendly relations among the peoples of Uzbekistan and Japan achieved good results of cooperation during this period will be a strong basis for further development, expansion and strengthening of ties between the countries.

 At a reception in connection with the auspicious occasion the chief of mission said for 20 years of diplomatic relations both countries have consistently expanded friendly relations. Thanks to the bilateral dialogue, including at the level of heads of states, economic cooperation, cultural and scientific exchanges a high level has been reached. Our countries are strategic partners today.

 Japan, as a friendly nation of Uzbekistan, assists the country in health, education, improvement of economic infrastructure and human resources training. For example, the activity of the Uzbekistan-Japan Center, a joint project between the two countries through technical cooperation, which in the summer of 2011 celebrated its 10th Anniversary, was highly praised in a joint statement, Japan and Uzbekistan, signed during the February 2011 visit of President Islam Karimov to Japan.

 If we talk about cultural exchange, our people express their mutual great interest and nourish a sense of respect for the culture and traditions of each other. Ikuo Hirayama International Culture Caravanserai plays an important role in Uzbekistan as a center for the exchange of culture and science of Japan and Uzbekistan.

 During the visit the delegation had a roundtable on actual issues of social partnership of NGOs with public authorities and administration. It brought together over 50 representatives of the lower house of parliament, ministries and departments responsible for nongovernmental sector, leaders of a number of NGOs in Japan, with experience of social partnership, scientists and experts from the University of Tsukuba.

The Japanese partners expressed great interest toward the Concept offered by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov concerning democratic reforms and the civil society in the country. During the meetings, Japanese experts have noted the deep reasonableness and consistency of sociopolitical and socioeconomic reforms implemented in Uzbekistan.

Tetsuji Tanaka, executive director of Institute for the Study of Central Asia and Caucasus said that civil society institution is developing rapidly in Uzbekistan. Today, they make a significant contribution to protecting the interests of the individuals and enhancing their civic participation. The scientist noted a special attention paid in Uzbekistan to the development of civil self-governing associations. Although there is a similar social institution in Japan called chonaikai but the functions performed by Mahalla are much wider.

Japanese experts also noted that one of the most important things that have a positive impact on the development of civil society in Uzbekistan is the focus of the reforms in the interests of the country's population, particularly young people. The Japanese side strongly supported the adoption of the Law "On Social Partnership", which has no analogues in many other democracies. Experts have noted that in practice, the main mechanism of the social partnership should be an involvement of NGOs in development and implementation of socially important government programs.

 In addition, the Uzbek delegation had opportunity to become more closely acquainted with the Japanese experience in ensuring interaction between the government and management and nongovernmental organizations during bilateral meetings with representatives of leading Japanese NGOs. Significant assistance in studying the Japan’s laws on the organizational and legal regulation of social partnership is provided by such organizations as the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation JANIC and Uzbekistan-Japan Friendship Association. At the same time fruitful meetings with Eiji Taguchi, vice-president of the Japan Foundation Japanese, Noriyuki Shina, general secretary of the Japan Platform and Takeju Ogata, president of The Nippon Foundation were held.

As an outcome of the roundtable and meetings the parties agreed to further deepen the bilateral cooperation in joint projects for the study of civil society development.